Plans are moving ahead to create a new direct connection from London to the picturesque Durham coastline in the north of England. From December this year, trains will start stopping in the town of Seaham in County Durham, known for its dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and rich maritime history. And it’s worth arriving hungry as the town has no fewer than 10 chippies, according to Google Maps.
The rail service will be run by the Open Access operator Grand Central, backed by the transport firm Arriva. Operators like Grand Central sit outside the Labour government’s nationalisation plans, using their own finances.
Grahame Morris, the MP for Easington said: “I’m delighted to share that the Office of Rail and Road has confirmed that Grand Central Trains will begin stopping at Seaham Station from December 2025 to December 2026.
“[There will be] four stopping services per day in each direction.”
With approximately 21,500 residents, Seaham is a lively harbour town on the Durham Coast, offering award winning hotels, a huge selection of cafés and spectacular cliff top views. Seaham Beach is a stretch of rocky and sandy beach, stretching approximately one mile along the town’s coastline, from the harbour wall to the north of the town. Seaham is known for colourful sea glass – man made glass which was once dumped at sea before being tumbled and shaped by the water over several years and eventually washing up on the shore.
A visitor said on Tripadvisor this April: “Lovely beach with beautiful coloured pebbles and sea glass. There are car parks along the seafront – only cost £3 for the whole day. Town is within walkable distance and has a number of good fish and chips shop. Bell’s fish restaurant has plenty of seating inside when the weather’s cold. There’s also a market. Great for a relaxing day out.”
The announcement comes as UK rail regulators approved extended track access rights for Grand Central’s existing services through to 2038. The trains will be manufactured at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe factory, the company’s UK manufacturing base.
Arriva formally applied to the UK Office of Rail and Road, the relevant regulator, to expand its Grand Central Services into Lincolnshire from 2026. It is also seeking approval for proposals for two extra daily return services between Bradford and London and an early morning and late evening return from York to London, together with services to Seaham, which would be the town’s first and only direct connection to London
Morris added: “Although the approval is currently for a one-year period using 5-car trains, I’m confident that these services will be well-used by residents across our community.
“This means that our constituency will now have direct rail links to York and London, alongside increased capacity to local destinations such as Sunderland and Hartlepool.”
